Stainless Steel in Architecture

Stainless steel is used for buildings for both practical and aesthetic reasons. The durable material can be used for anything from stainless steel balustrades and cladding to furniture, fixtures and more. After becoming in vogue during the art deco period, the most famous example of stainless steel use in architecture is the upper portion of the Chrysler Building, which was clad in Grade 302 stainless steel. Other iconic examples include the stainless steel clad Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the Gehry Tower in Hanover Germany, and the famous Niagara Mohawk Power Building sculpture in Syracuse, New York.

Lately, stainless steel is used increasingly in architectural applications such as balustrades and stainless steel handrails, cladding, wall features, furniture, staircases and structural elements. Some restaurants use large ornamental panels as well as stainless fixtures and furniture as eye catching pieces. Owing to the durability of the material, many of these buildings are able to retain their original appearance.

Pollution, salt exposure, weather patterns, design and cleaning frequency must be considered when selecting stainless steel and other construction materials if good long term performance is a pre-requisite.

The use of stainless in construction is increasing rapidly due to the material's properties, including aesthetics, durability, corrosion resistance, ease of maintenance and fire resistance. If appropriate grades and finishes are selected, there should be no need to replace stainless steel even if a building's life spans many decades. When total life cycle costs are considered, stainless steel is often the least expensive material option available for architects, designers and material buyers.

Another advantage of stainless steel is that maintenance costs are low. It is also easily fabricated as its mechanical properties allow thinner sections to be used, reducing weight without compromising strength. Stainless Steel is also used increasingly as a structural material in construction.

The most versatile and common grades of stainless steel used in architectural applications are the austenitic 300 series; types 304, 304L, 316 and 316L. You’ll find these grades used in various ways in current architecture, from the necessity of a pool fence to the grandeur and beauty of carefully made stainless steel balustrade.